Dedicated to Researching Rosslyn Chapel, The Knights Templar and Scottish Freemasonry

This shield bears a symbol representing the crucified Christ. The heart at the centre is Jesus Christ, son of God. Surrounding the heart is a crown of thorns representing the crown cruelly placed on the head of the saviour in mockery of his ‘claim’ to be King of the Jews.

Centre top, right and left one can see three nails. This represent the nails used at the crucifixion. One nail through each wrist and one nail through both ankles. The hands symbolise the hands and feet of Christ. One of the feet, bottom right, is missing and there is some other minor damage but in general the carving has survived almost intact.

This carving is similar to one at Seton Collegiate Church and one must wonder it one was copied from the other. Given the earliest dates of both structures (Haddington 1380 and Seton 1478) which bear these carvings it seems that Seton copied Haddington.

As the research of the Rosslyn Templars progresses there appears to be an increasing number of common factors between the Collegiate Churches examined so far. Examples are angels, Green Men and symbolism. Once the work of the Rosslyn Templars is concluded (assuming that it ever shall be - Ed.!) then there will have to be a major assessment of the material gathered but that must be some years away.

To go to the image of Christ as Symbol at Seton Collegiate Church click here.